Toothbrush



Maylz, 1942-4 J. D. BoBBRox-F 2,282,700

, TooTHBRusH l Filed April 26, 1939 Figl gwoon/viola Patented May 12, 1942 x lJ'NilJT-ED STATES TEN-r OFFICE l ToornRUsa James D. Bobbroff, Portland, Oreg. @presumir-M126, 1939, seriaiNo. 270,220 (ci. a-2 2)Y Y 3 Claims.

My invention relatesl to tooth brushes designedy to provide for the simultaneous brushingA ofthe provision of a toothbrush adequate to thera-v peuti'c requirements.v

A second object is the provision of a teeth.

brush of improved efliciency in the cleaning of teeth; f

A third object is the provisionA of means to accomplish a more Athorough cleaning iny a .given time.

of means to permit of applying the said exercising forces in varying degrees suited to the requirements of individual cases.

A fifth object is the provision of an instrument suited to the requirements of professional operators.

Other objects and advantages of my invention will be apparent in the following discourse wherein the significance of the reference characters in the accompanying drawing, details of construction of a typical brush embodying my invention, and the particular advantages thereof are explained.

Figure 1 represents a view of the back of a power operated brush.

Figure 2 represents a view of the side of a power operated brush the handle of which is shown in longitudinal section with internally contained actuating means in elevation.

Figure 3 is a diagram illustrative of the motion of the power operated brush as viewed from the back.

Figure 4 is a diagram illustrative of the motion of the power operated brush as viewed from the side.

The brush-member of Vthe invention consists essentially of two opposed bristle-set elastic brush elements indicated by the numerals I and 2 in Figure 2. These are conveniently made of soft vrubber into which the bristles 3 and 4 are set in the manner illustrated in Figure 2.

The brush elements just described are clamped between the head of the screw I and the extended handle portion 8 threaded to receive the screw 1.

These elements may be made in a variety of detailed forms adapted to varying tooth formations and configurations of particular dentitions. A

form adapted to awide variety of applications is illustrated'in the drawing and is characterized by elliptical elements having quasi-spherical op.- posed surfaces into which the bristles are set.

The power actuating meansconsists essentially of a dynamically unbalanced rotor I2, Figure 11,

journaled in the ends of the handle I3, and aA handle extension of great elasticity in one plane and comparativeA rigidity in the plane perpendicular thereto indicated; atIsIl in Figures l and 2. Such properties areconveniently provided for by a piece of relatively small dimension in one aspect and relatively great dimension in that aspect A fourth and incidental object is the provision perpendicular theretoas illustrated in the FigF ures 2v and 1 respectively.A

The practical embodiment of such means con templates provision forchanging the character-VV istics of both the force andl amplitude of the power driven motion in order that the appliance l may be of universal utility.

The handle I3 is made with removable endpieces i5 and IG which are conveniently screwed into the body of the handle I3. Access to the interior of the handleis thus provided to allow of changing rotors to provide more or less forcible vibrations or greater or less amplitude. For example, a Very Vheavy rotor with but slight eccentricity will provide vibrations of great force but small amplitude while a lighter one with greater eccentricity will provide a motion of slight force and relatively great amplitude. Intermediate operating characteristics are obviously provided for by simple changes of weight and eccentricity as suggested. Y

The spring-piece I4 is likewise interchangeable; spring-pieces of varying characteristics being easily attached by screwing into the endpiece I6. f

The opposite end of the handle at II is adapted to receive a flexible shaft coupling in the usual manner so that the rotor journal I8 may be engaged by. the said shaft in turn driven by suitable means not shown. In Figure 2 this connection is represented by a square socket I9 formed in the end of the rotor-journal I8 intended as `a exible shaft engagement.

The opposite rotor-journal 20 is carried in the opposite end-piece I6.

The power actuated brush, on the other hand, has a great variety of uses.

The power means is attached as described and the rotor I2 caused to revolve rapidly, opposite ends of the handle I3 will be forced into circular movements of opposite direction. The diameter of such movement will, of course, be a function of the combined masses of the rotor and handle in accordance with well known laws.

The brush-end of the piece I 4 would likewise be carried in a circular path in the absence of means to constrain the same to more or less reciprocal motion. When the brush is engaged upon the teeth it will be obvious that the brushes will be carried in the direction of the greatest dimension of the piece I4', Figure 3, and the oscillations will occur between the limits indicated by the broken lines this figure.

In the other aspects represented by Figure 4, the spring-piece I4 will be flexed into opposite the curves as indicated by the broken lines and the energy of this exure will be resolved at subse quent instants into more or less forcible reciprocating movements in the other plane parallel with the side tooth-surfaces laugmenting such forces as act directly to produce such motion.

A vigorous and rapid brushing action is thus provided for and in addition, the teeth are strained in an exercising movement laterally calculated to provide an invaluable remedy for many mouth ailments.

By substituting applicators or contacting elements in the places of the parts I and 2, of varying shapes and substances a great variety of treatments may be provided. The handle of the appliance may be held at varying angles and reciprocatory motion in almost any useful direction may be provided for exercising the teeth or massaging the gums. 1

The device is adapted for use by dentists, barbers, beauty culturists, and individuals. The spring-piece I4 is easily removed and sterilized together with the applicator elements and these parts may be preserved for individual use while the power handle may be universally employed for all patients or customers.

Having described my invention, what I claim is:

1. A power implement adapted for use with brushing means comprising, a handle containing a statically balanced and dynamically unbalanced :rotor adapted for rapid rotation by power means, a spring-piece flexible in only one aspect rigidly joined at one end to the end of said handle and formed at the remaining end with brush attaching means, wherein said brush attaching means may be constrained to simple reciprocation in the plane of a surface being treated by the expedient of flexing said spring-piece to urge said Ybrushing means against said surface.

A2. Avpower operated tooth brush comprising, a hollow handle, a at spring attached at one end to one end of said handle in axial alignment therewith, a statically balanced and dynamically unbalanced rotor mounted within said hollow handle and in axial alignment therewith adapted for power actuation, and a brush attachable to the free end of said spring, wherein the gyration of said handle is resolved into flexure of said spring and simple plane reciprocation of said brush by use thereof with an initial Ilexure of said spring to urge said brush into contact with the surface treated. f

3. A device for converting rotary into reciprocatory motion comprising a flat flexible spring one end of which is carried in rotary translation about an axis parallel with the axis of said spring and the other end of which is constrained to` rectilinear motion in a plane parallel to the major axis of a transverse section of said spring by means slidable in said plane.

' JAMES D. BOBBROFF. 

